News from UMass Lowell for Week of Dec. 17, 2012

Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

12/18/2012

This is a notice of upcoming events, photo opportunities and story ideas at UMass Lowell, compiled by the Office of Public Affairs, 978-934-3224. For more stories about UMass Lowell, visit www.uml.edu and click on “News.” In case of inclement weather, call UMass Lowell’s weather hotline at 978-934-2121; if the university is closed, all events are canceled. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week: UMass Lowell experts can discuss how parents can talk to their children about tragedy; how to stay fit and avoid diet pitfalls through the holidays; and the economic and political ramifications of the “fiscal cliff.”

What: People looking to make their great business ideas a reality will find valuable assistance during a Social Innovator Mixer networking night hosted by the Merrimack Valley Sandbox Initiative, which works to develop entrepreneurs and startup ventures. The event’s theme will be “Image and Access to Opportunity: Empowerment of Elders and People with Disabilities.” Featured speakers are slated to include Robin Ellington of the Citizen’s League for Adult Special Services (CLASS) and Jeffrey Gentry of Triangle Inc., two organizations that provide employment and support services to people with disabilities; Henry Winkelman of the Clark Cos.; and Trisha Blanchett, an early-stage entrepreneur who founded Operation Canine, which rescues homeless dogs and trains them to be service dogs for military veterans. The Sandbox was established by the Deshpande Foundation through the Merrimack Valley Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UMass Lowell. A collaborative effort between UMass Lowell, Merrimack College and Middlesex Community and Northern Essex community colleges, the Sandbox – one of three such initiatives in the world – works to strengthen economic and social development in local communities including Lowell and Lawrence.

What: The Fall 2012 Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition will display senior thesis projects produced in UMass Lowell’s art and design studios by bachelor of fine arts students. The show, which is free and open to the public, will be held at both the Dugan and University galleries on campus.

What: Anyone interested in learning about UMass Lowell’s graduate, continuing education and online offerings are welcome to attend an open house that will introduce them to the university’s 20 doctoral, 35 master’s degree and more than 70 graduate certificate programs. New programs include a doctoral program in criminal justice and criminology and master’s degree programs in autism studies and peace and conflict studies. Faculty program coordinators and continuing-education student support specialists will also share information about the university’s part-time degree and certificate programs, online courses and project management seminars. UMass Lowell programs are nationally accredited. Many graduate certificates and degree programs are available on campus, online or in a blended format. An expanded pool of scholarships is available.

What: The UMass Lowell Libraries will host a free five-part reading and discussion series on three of Jack Kerouac’s Lowell-centric novels: “The Town and the City,” “Visions of Gerard” and “Maggie Cassidy.” The series will feature Prof. Todd Tietchen, a member of the university’s English faculty, who will lead discussions about each novel. A Beat Generation scholar, Tietchen is an internationally known Kerouac expert. The sessions will cover the books noted on the following dates: Tuesday, Jan. 29, “The Town and the City,” parts 1 and 2; Tuesday, Feb. 19, “The Town and the City,” parts 3 through 5; Tuesday, March 19, “Visions of Gerard” with the community group Lowell Celebrates Kerouac!; Tuesday, April 9, “Visions of Gerard;” and Tuesday, April 30, “Maggie Cassidy.” Participants who register in advance will receive a copy of “The Town and the City” by mail. Free copies of the other titles will be distributed at the program. To register, go to http://libguides.uml.edu/kerouac or contact Sara Marks at 978-934-4581 or Sara_Marks@uml.edu. Support for the series is provided by the university’s English Department and Office of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Where: All programs will be held at O’Leary Library Learning Commons, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell except for Tuesday, March 19, which will be held at Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell.

What: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision and quest for social equality will be honored and advanced during a week-long series of events that will unite the UMass Lowell community and the public to share his work. Events will be focused around the topic “His Dream, Our Awakening.” Sponsored by the university’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the week will kick off Black History Month and will include a student Day of Service on Sunday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Campus Recreation Center, East Campus, 100 Pawtucket St., Lowell; and an MLK resources event on Thursday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McGauvran Hall, Room 224, South Campus, 71 Wilder St., Lowell. Other events include:

Solidarity March – Monday, Jan. 28, 5 p.m. Members of the UMass Lowell Community and the public will walk for peace in solidarity from South to East campus. The event is co-sponsored by student groups the Association of Students of African Origin (ASAO); Males Achieving Leadership, Excellence and Success (MALES); Sisters of Integrity Striving Towards Empowerment, Respect and Success (SISTERS); the Latin American Student Association and the National Society of Black Engineers. The walk will start on South Campus and end on East Campus.

MLK Celebration Dinner – Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m. The university will bestow its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award to a student, faculty, staff and community member whose service exemplifies King’s work. The centerpiece of the week, the dinner will feature Avis Jones-DeWeever, executive director of the National Council of Negro Women, and include award presentations to Lowell schoolchildren for their artwork and essays. The dinner is free and open to the public; please make reservations by Jan. 18 by contacting multicultural_affairs@uml.edu.